Title: Alright Momma I'll Sing
by: Vincent C Holman
copyright 2001
contact: vincentholman@uzane.com 
comment: sample pages only, do not use without prior permission from author.


INT. LIVINGROOM - DAY

Chris’s cellphone RINGS, it’s GRANDMA her mother. 
 
INTERCUT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION – CHRIS AND GRANDMA

The voice belongs to Grandma.

                                                    CHRIS
		                    Hello?

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                    Hey Chris.

                                                    CHRIS
		                    Hey Ma…

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   Just checking in to make sure you’re
		                   not nervous about your solo tonight.

                                                    CHRIS
		                   No I’m not…

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   Good, good…
                                                    
                                                    CHRIS
				             (reluctant)
		                   Because… I’m not singing…

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
                                   What? – What happened?

                                                    CHRIS
		                   I need to spend more time with my family.
					
                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   I told all of my friends you were
                                   singing a solo on B-E-T tonight.

                                                    CHRIS
		                   Ma...
                                         
                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   Don’t Ma me. I bet JC had something to 
                                   do with this. Where is he? Put him on 
                                   the phone. 

                                                    CHRIS
		                   JC’s not here, you know he works late…

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   Not this late... Where is he?

                                                    CHRIS
				               (stalls)
		                   He’s out…

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   Out?

                                                    CHRIS
		                   Yes… He’s out with the guys.

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                   You mean to tell me that you’re missing 
                                   your chance to sing on TV for a man that 
                                   ain’t even home.

                                                    CHRIS
		                   Ma...

                                                    GRANDMA (VO)
		                  Don’t Ma me… Chris I raised you and 
                                  all your life all you ever wanted to 
                                  do was sing on TV.

                                                    CHRIS
		                  Well Ma we grow up and things change.
		                  That’s why I’m quitting the choir too...
				       (awkward silence)
		                  Ma... Ma are you there. Ma...

                                                   GRANDMA (VO)
		                  I’m here... I’m hyperventilating but I’m
		                  here. Your killing your momma… All of 
                                  this in one day… I’ve got to make out my
		                  will… my days on earth are numbered.

                                                   CHRIS
		                  Ma.

                                                   GRANDMA (VO)
		                  Nothing else to live for...

                                                   CHRIS
		                  Ma...

                                                   GRANDMA (VO)
		                  Anymore shocks… Are my grand-kids 
                                  still in school or have they dropped out?

                                                   CHRIS
		                  Ma... now stop it.

                                                   GRANDMA (VO)
				                (hollers)
                                 Where is JC? Down at some club?

                                                   CHRIS
		                 Ma.

                                                  GRANDMA (VO)
				    (continuing to holler)
		                 Don’t Ma me… answer me.

                                                  CHRIS
				    (bites bottom lip)
		                 Yes… He just went on a friendship tip.

                                                  GRANDMA (VO)
		                 Yeah I’ve got his friendship alright.
                                 So what time is your choir supposed to sing?

                                                  CHRIS
		                 About 9:00 o’clock.

                                                  GRANDMA (VO)
		                 About 9:00 o’clock good. Now when that 
                                 husband of yours gets home I want you 
                                 to hurry down to that TV show and sing.

                                                  CHRIS
				      (argumentive)
		                 Ma I can’t, I already told the Choir 
                                 Director I’m not coming… besides JC 
                                 won’t be home until late anyway.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT 

Grandma is sitting on her bed firmly gripping the phone. 

The voice on the phone is Chris.

                                                 GRANDMA
		                Listen child… The Lord works in a 
                                mysterious way… And I’m sure that he 
                                wants you to sing on TV tonight. Just
                                promise me that if the Lord sends JC 
                                home early tonight you’ll go to that 
                                show and sing.

                                                CHRIS (VO)
				         (a loud exhale)
		                Alright Momma I’ll sing...

                                                GRANDMA
		                That’s my girl... Keep the faith. Goodbye.

Grandma hangs up the phone and speaks to herself in the mirror.

                                                GRANDMA
				             (upset)
		                Well ain’t that something…  My baby’s
		                supposed to sing on B-E-T and her
		                man’s out with the boys. Well I got
		                some news for you… Where’s my shoes?

Grandma sings “WE’RE GOING TO THE CITY” as she gathers her clothes. 

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A)	Grandma tries on several outfits in front of her mirror.
B)	She dresses in a 1940’s outfit.
C)	She winks at herself in the mirror as she applies lipstick and makeup.

BACK TO SCENE

She stands in front of her mirror ready to depart.

                                                GRANDMA
				              (eager)
		                 JC I don’t know where you’re at but 
                                 you better watch out. My baby’s gonna 
                                 sing on TV tonight.